– Presbyterian Dogs can talk to their pastor.
A friend sent me this and I really had to laugh.
Catholic dogs go to heaven
Day: November 20, 2008
Advent 2008
A new year is almost upon us. Advent is the beginning of the Catholic liturgical year. It starts, in the most natural of ways as anticipation. The beginning of all life, the expectation of a birth – the birth of our Lord and Savior, Jesus. We have special songs, colors, traditions, food. All these things leading us gently an surely to Christmas. Advent is very special and beautiful.
It is also somewhat of a challenge. There is such an emphasis in our culture on the material aspects of Christmas. The gifts, the malls, the stuff overwhelm the manger and the star and the little baby long ago who brought so much to us all. The birth that brought us everything is smothered in the everything we buy. Advent is a bit of liturgical magic that shifts us out of a life of stuff and into the life of the church. It is joy, peace, hope and love. It is a time for preparation, faith building, memory making, family, songs, lights, and understanding. So, not to belabor a good point here are the basics.
The Dates For 2008
Advent begins Sunday, November 30
Feasts:
Saint Nicholas: December 6
Immaculate Conception: December 8 – HDO
Our Lady of Guadalupe: December 12
Saint Lucy: December 13
Really cool and fun
You might remember this post from last year. Straight No Chaser’s very cool rendition of The 12 Days of Christmas give it another listen it is well worth it.
Apparently after their video went “viral” last year they got notice by Atlantic records, were reunited and cut an album. Check out the story.
I saw it first over at the Anchoress and I know others like Fr Kyle have linked into it. I feels good to be doing a little, very tiny part to help these great musicians get noticed – because when a lot of us share what we love very occasionally it makes a difference. Viva la Power of the Internet.
Holiday Grand Plan Week Thirteen.
The Official Holiday Grand Plan started on August 31. In order to accommodate the Advent season I have started earlier, and I hope to have everything in order and ready for a calm and spiritual Advent season.
This week the I am focusing on the Kitchen. This is totally out of order, but I really need to back up to the kitchen and do a good turn through it and take inventory for the Christmas cooking.
Last Week’s follow up: I will have the checklist for sorting up soon, God willing. I bought four new Christmas children’s books for the book basket.
Week Twelve: Cleaning: The Official Holiday Grand Plan has the kitchen listed on week six. I like having it closer to the Holidays. My goals in the kitchen are to do a good clean out of the fridge and freezer, cull the baking supplies, check the pantry and make a final shopping list for the items I will need for the holiday baking. Don’t forget the cleaning list for the Kitchen.
Preparing for the Holidays: This weekend is the weekend we are making sure the lights work. I bought my Advent candles already. Cards should be ready to go by the end of next week.
Planning: The Offical Grand Plan has recommendations for this week. My list is a little different since we started a couple weeks earlier.
Gifts: I need to make a trip to get some fabric for the boys. This week I want to get one good shopping trip in.
Cards: Still working on my cross stitch cards. I need to check labels for mailing.
Parties: This week I am doing the first plans for our Christmas eve shin-dig.
Menus: The menu for Christmas eve and what we are bringing to Thanksgiving.
Decorating: Got those Advent Candles, plan for crafts that will be decorations. The thanks giving goodies go up this weekend.
Baking: I need to get anything that I don’t have after going through the kitchen.
Devotionals: I picked up some items for Advent devotionals/crafts. Later today or tomorrow I will have my Advent page up with our devotionals.
Traditions: We have new books. I am looking through to decide which night we would like to go to the Grotto and Zoo lights. We have a couple parties booked. St Nicholas day celebrations. Lot’s of things starting to show up on the calendar.
Simply Catholic 